How To Get Rid Of Dark Underarms

Dark coloration of the skin in the underarms region is usually not a disease or medical condition. Dark underarms can be thought of as the skin’s response to exposure to certain elements, similar to a suntan that results from exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Some of the main causes of dark underarms are shaving, regular use of hair removing creams, excessive sweating, poor ventilation of underarms, accumulation of dead skin cells, and use of alcohol-based deodorants and antiperspirants.

You can easily get rid of dark underarms using simple home remedies that are safe, effective, natural and affordable.

However, at times dark underarms may also be as a result of a medical condition that is known as acanthosis nigricans which is often associated with insulin resistance, obesity, hormonal disorders, certain medications, and cancer.

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If your dark underarms are caused by this condition then you must consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

1. Potato

The mild acidic property present in potatoes is a great natural bleaching agent. Unlike strong bleaching agents, it will not cause skin irritation.

Simply rub a thin slice of potato on your underarms.

You can also grate the potato and apply the juice to the affected area, allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.

Use either of these remedies twice daily for better and faster results.

2. Cucumber

Just like potatoes, cucumbers also have natural bleaching properties to help lighten discolored skin.

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Simply rub a thin cucumber slice on your underarms or grate a cucumber and apply the juice under your arms. Do this once or twice daily until you are satisfied with the results.

Another option is to extract the juice from a cucumber and mix it with a little turmeric powder and lemon juice. Apply this paste on the affected area. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and then wash it off with water. Repeat this home remedy once daily or every other day for best results.

3. Lemon

Lemon works as a natural bleach and a powerful antibacterial and antiseptic agent. This is why lemon is used in the treatment of various skin-related problems including dark underarms. Lemon can dry out your skin, so apply a moisturizer after using these remedies if needed.

To remove dead skin cells and lighten your underarms, rub a lemon wedge on the skin for a few minutes. Leave the juice on your skin for about 10 minutes and then wash the area thoroughly. For better exfoliation, you can sprinkle a little sugar on the lemon wedge and then use it. Do this a few times a week.

Another option is to mix a little turmeric powder, honey or plain yogurt in some lemon juice and apply it to your underarms. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then wash it off. Repeat three or four times a week.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used to make an exfoliating scrub to get rid of dark underarms. This will help remove dead skin cells, which is one of the main causes of dark underarms. It will also help unclog skin pores.

Mix baking soda and water to make a thick paste.

Use this paste to scrub your underarms.

Wash it off and pat dry the area thoroughly.

Repeat a few times a week.

You can also apply a light dusting of equal parts of baking soda and cornstarch to neutralize body odor.

5. Orange Peel

Orange peels can be used to lighten the skin under your arms, thanks to their skin lightening and exfoliating properties.

Put some orange peels in the sun for a few days until they dry out completely.

Gently scrub your underarms with the paste and then leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Finally, wash the area with cold water.

Repeat the process two or three times a week.

6. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another good option to get rid of dark underarms. Coconut oil contains vitamin E that can help lighten the underarms. At the same time, it will also work as an effective natural deodorant.

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Massage the dark underarms with coconut oil.

Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.

Wash it off with mild soap and lukewarm water.

Repeat two or three times daily until you achieve the desired results.

7. Milk

The vitamins and fatty acids present in milk can help minimize underarm darkening. It will soften the skin and make the skin tone much lighter.

Mix two tablespoons of full fat milk, one to two tablespoons of flour and one teaspoon of pain yogurt to make a thick paste. Apply it on your underarms and leave it on for about 15 minutes before wash it off with cold water. Repeat a few times a week on a regular basis.

Another option is to soak a couple of strands of saffron in two teaspoons of milk for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also add a little honey. Apply the mixture on your underarms and leave it on for at least 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off. Follow this remedy daily until you are satisfied with the results.

8. Vinegar

Vinegar can also come to your rescue when you wish to get rid of your dark underarms. This remedy will not only lighten the skin color, but will also kill germs and bacteria that feed on dead skin cells causing underarm odor.

Mix rice flour with vinegar to form a thick paste.

Take a hot shower and then apply this paste on your underarms.

Allow the paste to dry for 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water.

Repeat a few times a week.

9. Sandalwood

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Sandalwood is another useful ingredient for getting rid of dark underarms due to its skin-lightening properties. Using rose water to make a paste will add a cooling and softening effect on the skin. The fragrance of sandalwood will also help get rid of body odor due to excessive sweating.

Mix two tablespoons of sandalwood powder and two to three tablespoons of rose water to make a thick paste.

Apply the paste on your underarms.

Leave it on for about 15 minutes or until it dries, and then wash it off with cold water.

When repeated daily, this remedy will lighten the skin tone of your underarms within a few days.

10. Gram Flour

Another great ingredient to get rid of dark underarms is gram flour, also known as besan. You can use gram flour to make a homemade whitening pack.

Mix together two tablespoons of gram flour, one teaspoon each of plain yogurt and lemon juice, and a little turmeric powder to make a thick paste.

Apply this paste on your underarms.

Leave it on for at least 30 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water.

Follow this remedy daily for two weeks. Then repeat three times a week until you get the desired results.

Follow these remedies as needed to get rid of dark underarms and enjoy soft, smooth and lighter skin.

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Comments 164

I used the baking soda with lemon and it really works…you can see the result after a week…for the whole week while your using this method ( mix the baking soda and lemon then rubbing circular motion and leaves at least 3 minutes)u gonna noticed that your armpit is getting darker but dont worry, that’s your dead skin , and eventually gonna fall off..and that’s the result that you’ve waiting for…a lighter underarm..:)

im fourteen and i want to get rid of dark shades of my underarm. i read all the comments and all of them said it works so i wwanted to try the lemon and potatomethod. since many girls said its effective. i will post here again if it works.

wowwww….lemon really worked for me…I had really dark dark underarms…as if I have paintef black color down there….bt now aftr lemon treatment from last 2 months they are by 50%… I really confident now that aftr another 2mnth treatment of lemon I wud completely get rid of dark area in my armpits….so guys it takes around 4 5 months for gettin white armpits with lemon…n yeah DON’T forget it exfoliating armpits wid pumice stone everyday while taking bath for 1 min 🙂 … m sure mah experience wud help u guys too

hi thanx for those great home remedies…will definetly try potato method..hoping it will work fast as i have very dark underarm n summer is around the corner hoping i can wear my favourate tops n dresses.thank you

Okay so I’ve used the coconut oil one, and you know What what? IT FAILED? just kidding it turned out to be surprisely really good. My armpit was really dark and it made my armpit look a little regular again. So I’m apply some more for the next week and see what happens.

Amazing how positive the results for these home remedies are, I’m really excited to try it out! (I have dark armpits and ever since awhile I’ve been somewhat incredulous to these methods, but if the reviews are That good, then am half way sold.)
Will these still work however even if the person shaves??
(Going to try out the potato one first)

Hello, I am a teenage girl with pretty dark armpits. I have a performance in late April that I am trying to get nice armpits for. I will start using the potato method (just the slice) sometime this week, daily. If I dont see results within the next two weeks I’ll switch to a daily lemon routine. Hopefully one of them will exactly the way I need it to work, so I’ll come back to give my results.

Hey ladies! I was here months before trying to find something all natural for my very dark and damaged armpit skin, but sadly nun would work. I had a serious talk with my loving mother who recommended me these 5 items that are very easy to find at home and at local stores.
1. baking soda (make into a paste )
2. very fine sugar( example, Splenda or any kind of sugar you can make into paste)
3.Gold bond Baby powder Cornstarch Plus Triple action relief.(may cost a little over $3)
4.Athlete’s Foot Cream Clotrimazole cream ( Yes I know it may sounds weird but really made a difference on my pits.
5.Naturally Freash Deodorant Crystal Roll On (Hypoallergenic, Paraben /PG Free, Fragrance Free.
Step by step I will explain my daily routine.
First, while showering I put my baking soda paste on my pits for 5 to 10 mins. Second, while still in the shower I finally rinse off the baking soda, then I put on the fine sugar paste on my pits and let that sit for about another 5 to 10 mins. You don’t have to put much of the paste, just enough to cover all the dark areas, Third, after getting done with my shower, if I didn’t have plans I would put on a little Gold Bond Baby powder to keep my pits nice and dry. If you plan on going out, about 30 mins before you actually leave put on the Gold Bond and wait till your about to leave to proceed on putting the Roll On Deodorant. I did this for more then a week and noticed a dramatic change in my skins color. Yes on hot days or while a workout my pits were a little or very sweaty after using all this stuff but worked for me like wonders. NOW for the Foot cream, I would use that right before bed or anytime of the day where your just relaxing. I really hope I helped. I couldn’t keep this amazing find to myself. It took me about 5 years to find something that would actually work. I’ve tried so many stuff but only made my pits darker and smell very weird. I didn’t even dare to lift my arms for anyone to see. that’s how bad it was, but by the grace of god and my amazing mother i can now lift my pits freely without a care in the world. Hope this works for all! (IF ALLERGIC TO ANY OF THESE ITEMS DO NOT USE.)

I’ve read all the comments in this site and i believe some of them just said it really works but only on the first try so they expect to get a good result in a flash. here is my experience, i use baking soda before and i see it whitens a little bit after washing so at that moment i was excited and expected that it will completely whitens for a maximum of 2 weeks but hopelessly it doesn’t, it only whitens after applying it but returns back after a day and nothing works after 2 weeks so I’ve switched to another remedy, the lemon paired with honey. tonight is my 2nd week of applying remedy no.2 and it works for me but not as fast as what they said in previous comments but still i am satisfied because it works and that is the most important thing. i applied it every night and I’ve noticed that the lightening of my underarm doesn’t change even after i wake up in the morning but don’t expect that result for 1-3 days.

i don’t say that other remedies are fake or ineffective but you have find whats best or effective for you and don’t expect a fast result, give at 2 weeks for every remedy you will try and try another if not effective. the effectiveness of remedy stated above maybe depends on you’re skin or how severe the damage you have on your skin or what causes it. just try and try guys and be patient. don’t lose hope.

Hello Friends, I would like to share my experience that even I was suffering from dark underarms and stopped wearing sleeveless clothes. I tried many home remedies as well as whitening cream but didn’t get the result. I would recommend a cream which gives the best and effective result in just one week. Today I am so happy and and started wearing all my sleeveless outfits.

All the tips mentioned here are strictly informational. This site does not provide medical advice. Consult with your doctor or other health care provider before using any of these tips or treatments. Read more.